Process of pkepaeotg hemp



T. H. BARLOW. Rotting Fiber.

'No. 4,094. Patented JUNE 25. 1845;

AM. PHOTOLETHQC INX. (OSBORNE'S PROCESS) THO. H. BARLOW, OF LEXINGTON,KENTUCKY.

PROCESS OF PREPARIN' G HEMP.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 4,09% dated June 25, 1845.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THoMAs H. BAnLow, of thecity of Lexington and State of Kentucky, have invented a new Mode ofRotting Hemp and Flax; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull and exact description.

A sufiicient number of vats should be oonstructed of a suitable size. Irecommend that they be made 8 feet wide, 5 feet deep, and 30 feet long.The size however is not essential. They may be constructed above ground,and if so, they should he made like the forebay of a mill, stronglyplanked inside, and boarded up on the outside of the frame, and thespace between the two to be filled up with clay, saw dust or any othersubstance, which will exclude the sun and weather from the exterior ofthe inner lining, and thereby prevent leaking. If sunk in the ground,the vats should be construct which may be located at the end of thevats;

from which a steam pipe A, will extend to the vats; and from this mainpipe A, smaller branch pipes B, B, will be carried to the intervalsbetween the vats, so that each branch pipe will serve for two vats Fromthe branch pip-es B, smaller branch pipes C, C, C, C &c. extend into thevats over the edges, and reach nearly to the bottom, at intervals ofabout four feet, but sufficient to convey the steam rapidly into them ifrequired. Each pipe should be supplied with a stop cock D, near itsprincipal branch, so as to control the discharge of the steam, andincrease or diminish it at pleasure. Those in tervals between the vatsthrough which the branch pipes pass, may be from 18 to 24 inches. Theother intervals should be wide enough for a hand cart to pass in, tofill and empty the vats of hemp. In vats thus arwith water.

ranged place the hemp stalks, tied up in bundles of moderate size, andcover them After being immersed let in the steam so as to raise thetemperature of the water to a degree from 80 to 120; let the hempmacerate at that degree, until when handled, it shall be slippery andapproaching to putrefaction, which will generally occur at the end of 36hours; sometime requiring niore time. At that stage of the process, letin the steam so as to raise the water to the boiling point, and continueit at that point for one or two hours, until the glutinous matter of thehemp be thrown off. Then draw off the water while hot and as soon as thehemp is cool enough to be handled, set it up in open shocks, or spreadit on the ground to dry. By adding any kind of alkali to the water whilethe hemp is macerating the process will be much shortened; and where thearticle is intended for fine fabrics, the alkali is necessary as it notonly hastens the process, but improves in some measure the texture ofthe hemp or flax.

Hemp or flax when rotted by this process, produces a larger quantity,and of far better x quality, than when they are rotted, by either dew orcold water. The hemp is stronger and takes tar better. Being free fromgluten the hemp will stand exposure to the atmosphere better.

hat I claim as my discovery, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The above process of preparing hemp or flax; by first steeping it inwarm water until it is completely macerated, and then as soon as it hasbeen brought to this macerated condition, the temperature of the wateris to be immediately raised to, or above, the boiling point; by whichmeans the further progress of fermentation and putrefaction is stopped;and by continuing the boiling of the water, a rapid and com pleteseparation of the gluten from the fiber is effected.

' rrios. H. BARLOW.

VVitness'es:

T. C. DoNN, THO, H, HAVENNER,

